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<br />December 21, 2009 Section 6: Municipal Operations <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Page 47 <br />Traffic Signals and Streetlights <br />In 2002, 750 traffic signal lights were converted to more energy efficient LED (light -emitting <br />diodes) bulbs starting with the green and red traffic lights. Since then, all traffic signals have <br />been converted to LED technology, from the older incandescent lamps. Traffic signals that use <br />LEDs consume 80-90 percent less energy and generally last 5-7 years, compared to just a year <br />for a comparable incandescent light signal. LED traffic signals also offer significant peak <br />demand savings since they operate 24 hours a day.22 <br />Given the success of the LED traffic signals, the City is now looking to replace streetlights with <br />more efficient fixture types. Switching to energy efficient streetlights will save taxpayer money <br />and greenhouse gases. Most street lights are high pressure sodium (HPS) lamps. The <br />streetlight retrofit would require replacing the entire head of each street light, to replace the HPS <br />lamp and ballast. Retrofitting the street lights are expected to result to reduced electricity <br />consumption by up to 40 percent.. <br />Water and Sewage Facilities <br />The Water Pollution Control Plant (WPCP) is generally the largest single energy user of all City <br />facilities. A project to install a cogeneration unit is already underway. The cogeneration unit will <br />run off the methane gas produced in the digesters. The cogeneration will produce electricity to <br />operate the plant and heat to run the plant‘s anaerobic digester. <br />Reduce, then Produce <br />Following the City‘s initial efforts to reduce energy use, The City is considering assessing the <br />feasibility of a solar installation site at the Water Pollution Control Plant. Given the economic <br />and environmental benefits of improving the energy efficiency of municipal buildings, the City <br />will prioritize efficiency improvements prior to the more expensive solar PV installations. Power <br />purchase agreements (PPAs) may also be an approach to installing solar systems. A PPA <br />involves leasing the photovoltaic equipment and paying for the energy on a monthly basis. <br />Third-party PPAs are generally feasible for large (>500 kW) PV systems, but not for small <br />systems (<100 kW) as the administrative and financing costs often outweigh the potential tax <br />benefits. The City is waiting for energy efficiency upgrades to be completed on City Hall before <br />evaluating potential photovoltaic systems for that building. <br />Measures and actions for consideration: <br /> <br />22 Consortium for Energy Efficiency. http://www.cee1.org/gov/led/led-main.php3